Edit This Favorite

GardaWorld Announces Strategic Expansion

As part of its expansion, the company signs a binding agreement for the acquisition of Aegis Group

GardaWorld, the world's largest privately owned security and cash services provider, announces today the strategic expansion of its protective services platform in Africa and the Middle East.

Over the past decade GardaWorld has continuously expanded its operational capacity as demand for specialized and professional services to protect high profile diplomatic staff, development projects and leading oil & gas companies dramatically increased in Africa and the Middle East. In the current geopolitical context, such comprehensive security services offering remains critical for companies and governments operating in the region and GardaWorld has committed to become a premier security provider globally. The company expects to complete this phase of its strategic expansion plan before the end of the year.

As the first phase of its strategic expansion, GardaWorld is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding agreement for the acquisition of Aegis Group, a leading provider of highly specialized protective services with annual run-rate revenues of over CAN$450 million with a presence across 10 African and Middle East emerging markets.

"Aegis Group's operational platform will complement GardaWorld's offering and geographic footprint as we continue to build our protective services capabilities throughout Africa and the Middle East," said Stephan Cretier, Founding President and CEO, GardaWorld. "Aegis Group and GardaWorld have both been truly committed to setting the highest professional and ethical standards in the industry. We are the first two private security providers in the world to obtain the PSC.1 certification, offering our clients a complete peace of mind service solution in emerging markets. Once we have completed the integration, we will become a clear market leader, providing premier professional security services with the unsurpassed depth of our offering and strength of our global platform."

"In the next phase of our growth strategy, planned for later this year, we expect to further expand GardaWorld's regional infrastructure and to double our physical footprint by reinforcing our presence on the ground in nearly 20 countries in Africa and the Middle East. Our goal is to offer a specialized and distinctive protective services offering, to more clients, including governments, diplomatic organizations, large critical infrastructures, mining, oil & gas companies, NGOs and Fortune 500 corporates, in more places and where they need us most than any other company in our market," continued Mr. Cretier.

GardaWorld's acquisition of Aegis Group is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and is expected to close within the next 90 days.

Note to the Editors

Certification PSC-1: ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012

Management System for Quality of Private Security Company Operations - Design, delivery and management of physical security and security risk management services worldwide in high risk, benign and complex environments in a responsible manner that enhances human safety and security, conforming to international law, local laws and human rights.

About GardaWorld

GardaWorld is the world's largest privately owned security and cash services provider. Our 48,000 highly trained, dedicated professionals serve clients throughout North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. GardaWorld works across a broad range of sectors, including natural resources and critical infrastructures, retail, construction, telecommunications and manufacturing, and on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, governments, NGOs and humanitarian relief organizations. For more information, visit www.garda.com.

About Aegis Group

Aegis Group is a leading security and risk management company with project experience in over 60 countries. The company has a worldwide client-base including governments, international agencies and the international corporate sector, and are a major security provider to the United States government and intelligence and security advisor to the maritime insurer Lloyd's of London's Joint War Committee (JWC). Aegis Group offers comprehensive advice on every aspect of security from corporate operations, commercial risk and foreign investment to counter-terrorism, close protection and support to governments. For more information, visit www.aegisworld.com.